Answered questions(7)
Alternative treatments for depression
Can you use biofeedback to treat depression? My husband is not doing very well right now and he is resistant to taking medications so I am looking to find alternative treatments that might be helpful. If biofeedback (this was recommended to me by a friend) is not suitable, can you recommend an alternative treatment (non drug based) that might work for him. He is 42 and this is his first bout of depression. It just came out of the blue after he has been a very happy person for his whole life. He has been feeling down for about 2 months now and it is very clearly depression. Thank you for your advice and assistance. Cheryl.
Read answer →Motivation through Depression
I have an idea to help my wife that I would like your opinion on. Here is the idea. Setting your house thermostat very low as a way to help someone with depression? My wife has depression and a big part of it for her is feeling not able to get motivated to get out of the house to do things she enjoys. We have actually talked about this and she knows that if she gets out and does something rewarding it actually helps but even still she can’t make herself do it when she is feeling depressed and when she feels like this I can’t make her either. This is very frustrating for me to watch her slide down when I know that it would help to get out into the fresh air but she just won’t. So the idea would be to make the house not very comfortable to stay in to encourage her to get out during the daytime and do things. I would lock the blankets up in a chest and keep the key on me at work. I can acknowledge that this seems a little crazy but necessary. But here’s the big question. Suppose my wife agrees that this is a good idea to try for a trial period of time, like a week. If she can decide anytime that she doesn’t want the house to be cold someday when she is not feeling up to facing the world and just wants to stay on the couch then the experiment will not work. But on the other hand I do not want to get her very upset on some day that she really can’t get out and face the world and I am more or less forcing her out. Do you think this idea is too risky?
Read answer →Depression and Retreats
I am depressed I think but I am not into the idea of taking drugs that might affect my personality. I am considering doing a month long meditation retreat as a way to deal with my depression. Is this a good idea? I am not sure if it is me dealing with my problems or me running away from my problems.
Read answer →Hypnosis, Depression and Positive Gains in Therapy
I was reading that hypnosis can accelerate the gains you can make in therapy. Do you think that hypnosis is something that can be (should be?) integrated into psychotherapy for depression. Are there any risks I need to be concerned about if my 17 year old severely depressed son was going to give it a try?
Read answer →Neurofeedback and depression
Dear Doctor Lauren, How do you feel about biofeedback for someone with persistent unresponsive depression? I know this is something that is helpful for panic and anxiety but can it work for depression also?
Read answer →Double Depression
I have had double depression since I was in a car accident when I was 18. I have been off and on disability and have tried multiple medications, ECT, therapy, etc. I am usually mildly depressed. I haven't been able to sleep normally in years. I have no interest in sex. I have difficulty spending large amounts of time with people or in large groups. I have a flat affect. I don't believe anything will ever help.
Read answer →You Don't have to Suffer Forever with Depression
I have had depression for 4 years. I have tried multiple medications and therapy. Some days are better than others and the treatment helps a bit I think but i never really feel better or cured. Should I get used to the fact that am never going to get any better than I am now, if 4 years of trying everything hasn't done much good?
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